My good friend Jaime Jurado — who for many years now has been the brewmaster for Gambrinus in San Antonio, Texas — has accepted a new position as the brewmaster for the new Susquehanna Brewing Co. in Pittston, Pennsylvania. He’ll begin in his new position on January 1, 2012.

Jurado’s been the Director of Brewing Operations with Gambrinus since 1997. Gambrinus owns several beer brands, including BridgePort, Pete’s (which they recently discontinued), Shiner and Trumer. Prior to that, Jamie brewed at Stroh’s, Courage Brewing and the Lion in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. He was also President of the MBAA from 2005-06.

From the press release:

Susquehanna Brewing Company (SBC), like The Gambrinus Company, is a family-owned company. Owners, Ed Maier, Fred Maier and Mark Nobile have respected the Chairman of The Gambrinus Company for decades. “Gambrinus brews outstanding and varied beers across a broad portfolio, and the creativity, passion and pursuit of excellence is evident in what it has accomplished. We’ve known Jaime for years, and have seen how he has grown and gained impressive depth, which is attributable to The Gambrinus Company. Jaime comes with best wishes of Gambrinus, and no hurdles,” notes SBC President Ed Maier.

SBC represents a new direction in the exciting trajectory of American craft brewing. Founded by the former beer distributors of United Beverage in Pittston, PA, with a rich history of significant regional breweries in one family, as well as a multi-generation beer distribution enterprise in the other, this is the first successful beer distribution company to take up brewing… but being from brewing across generations, there already exists hand’s-on experience from running a regional brewery in the organization in its President.

Whatever that means?!?

Jaime with Lars Larson from Trumer at the Celebrator’s 18th Anniversary Party.

Questionable press release language aside, I’m happy for Jaime and wish him and SBC the best.

Jamie with my son Porter and my wife at the Spoetzl Brewery in Shiner, Texas.